Experienced cruisers-when is the best time to cruise Hawaii

[TT]

I remember reading once about the water being calm in the???. I tried to find that post but it was so long ago. I am looking to surprise hubby with Hawaii and can book anytime in 2005........soooo when is the weather nicer? Friends went in November once and had ruff seas and it rained, and rained. Can anyone help on this one. Also has anyone flown from Florida to Honolulu? How long was the trip and how much?? Any info would be great. Thanks to all who reply.

TT

[RevNeal]

We did the round trip to Hawaii out of San Diego in Nov/Dec 2002. The weather in the Islands was beautiful. We had a little rain, but it wasn't bad or a problem, and most of the time it was sunny and beautiful. The crossing from San Diego to Hawaii was a little stormy -- we had at least some rain 3 out of the 5 days, and the deep-sea swells were rather strong. The return crossing from Hawaii to San diego was very nice ... sunny and pleasant weather, a nice refreshing breeze, and the swells were as bad as the crossing to Hawaii.

[iluvcruzin]

I don't know when it's the best time. I sailed mid October and the weather was FABULOUS.

[DonMaryCar]

We did Hawaii cruise in Feb/Mar of 2004 and we had some rough weather and waters most of trip. Heck we even went to San Diego for a couple days before we departed and had rain all three days can you believe that,"It never rains in California" However the crew said that was very unusual for that time of year. We all hope for those fabulous picture postcard trips but even if you have some bad weather how can Hawaii be anything but fabulous. Have talked to others that had great weather at various times.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I have actually never cruised over to Hawaii but have been to Hawaii numerous times and in different months of the year. I think that Hawaii stays pretty much the same year round with the exception that is is just a few degrees warmer in July and August. It is always going to be rainly in Kauai and Hilo side of the Big Island. The rains never last that long. I really believe any time of year is great in Hawaii. As far as the crossing of the Pacific I think that almost year round you can encounter some rough seas, that is normal for the Pacific. As far as flight times from LA to Honolulu it is about 6 hours and 15 minutes and form San Francisco about 5 hours and 50 minutes. I beleive it is about 5+ hours from Florida to Los Angeles.

[Esme]

We cruised to Hawaii both times April/May. First time we had rough seas the first couple of days and second time, it was smooth all the way there and back, so you can never tell. I don't remember having rain but then it's been 8 years since our last cruise there.

It's a wonderful trip and I am sure you will enjoy it.

[anjan]

I cruised to Hawaii twice in the last year. The first was last September. We had calm seas and great weather. The second time was in April. The seas were rougher in crossing and we did have some rain. Hilo, where it is frequently rainy had torrential downpours for most of the day. It was solid water coming down and not raindrops. We had a wonderful time both times. I think that the water was calmerand clearer for snorkeling in September.

[TT]

Thank you all! I quess it seems like we should go for the best pricing for the year not season. Thanks for all the info I quess I will have to wait for the TA to get back to me. It seems like NCL has great prices so I have to find out why. Problems....due I smell problems. LOL Also REVNEAL great prayer for all those in the wake of Ivan. Since we are a breeder I say a great sign on a boarded up house.

BAD IVAN........NO COOKIE FOR YOU. I wish all good luck with Ivan. We Port Charlotte people really do feel for all of those it his way.

TT

[EbayCruiser]

I'm looking for a cruise to Hawaii in 2005 also. Please let me know if anyone finds any good prices and which cruiseline would be the best to use. I'm just getting ready to start looking.

It looks like HAL only has one ship that sails to Hawaii - was it the Maasdam ??? and it is not rated very good according to Expedia. Anyone have any comments??

Thanks!

[jdrblue]

I have been on two Hawaii cruises. One was in January and the other in June. The weather was perfect both times. We were on NCL's Norwegian Star and had a great time. NCL has replaced the Star in Hawaii with the Pride of Aloha. Check out some of the posts concerning this ship. They have been generally pretty negative.

[TT]

I'm looking for a cruise to Hawaii in 2005 also. Please let me know if anyone finds any good prices and which cruiseline would be the best to use. I'm just getting ready to start looking.

It looks like HAL only has one ship that sails to Hawaii - was it the Maasdam ??? and it is not rated very good according to Expedia. Anyone have any comments??

Thanks!
I found some great pricing on a site a CC person told me about. Email me at FLPCTT@AOL.COM and I will tell you about them. They seem to have good prices but I will check with another TA also just to check out things for best pricing.

TT

[TT]

I have been on two Hawaii cruises. One was in January and the other in June. The weather was perfect both times. We were on NCL's Norwegian Star and had a great time. NCL has replaced the Star in Hawaii with the Pride of Aloha. Check out some of the posts concerning this ship. They have been generally pretty negative.
I read about the POA and their lack of help. They have 2 ships their so I will be checking them out. I also think Princess is there but I will check on that tomorrow. I do like NCL and have had 10 cruises on them but never the new ships. I loved the Norway......to bad she blew up her engine. I will keep my eye on NCL's comments and hopefully they can staff the ships before 2005.

TT

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

We did Hawaii cruise in Feb/Mar of 2004 and we had some rough weather and waters most of trip.
Charlene and I were on the Statendam on the same cruise and if I remember correctly, we had 14 foot seas for several days right out to sea from San Diego after a strong winter storm off Alaska. Most of the Pacific was disturbed by the typical winter storm pattern.